“We really want to restrict guys getting into the paint,” he said. “If there was one thing, that’s for us. There are going to be some nights where guys hit 3-point shots on us. High-quadrant 3s and long 2s are the worst shots in basketball [for an offense to take], and so we’re geared to give up those shots. Sometimes, I’m going to have to shake the other coach’s hand and say, ‘Good job.’

“But, for the most part, we want to keep guys out of the paint, and that’s going to be the base of our defense.”

Vaughn and Stan Van Gundy share that in common.

Van Gundy typically set three major goals for his defense: getting back quickly after made baskets or missed baskets, shrinking the floor and protecting the paint and closing hard/contesting shots.

Three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard provided a safety net for the Magic. His shot-blocking ability deterred drives to the hoop, and his presence covered up for many of his teammates’ defensive shortcomings.

This year’s Magic won’t have that luxury.

Nik Vucevic and Gustavo Ayón each averaged 2.0 blocks per 48 minutes last season, which would’ve placed them in the bottom third of NBA centers in that statistical category. Meanwhile, point guard Jameer Nelson and small forward Hedo Turkoglu never have been regarded as particularly adept at preventing dribble drives.

“The way we’re playing defensively is definitely geared toward the personnel that we have right now, for sure,” Vaughn said. “It is a team defense based around five guys being in the right position at the right time. It’s help-oriented. But, at the same time, there’s a responsibility one-on-one.”

Dwight Howard says a herniated disk in his back caused him problems for most of the 2011-12 season, but he adds that he kept some of the issues to himself because he didn't want to be perceived as quitting on the Orlando Magic after his trade request became public.

The Orlando Magic lost their home preseason opener against the Philadelphia 76ers 102-95 Thursday night in front of an announced crowd of 18,106 at Amway Center. Here’s a recap of the best and the worst from the Magic’s perspective.

This time, something strange and wonderful happened. The skies cleared, the rain stopped and the starving blind man gorged himself on a much-needed victory and finally regained his sight ¿ the vision of making the playoffs.